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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030525 PC MINUTESCITY OF APPLE VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 5, 2025 1. CALL TO ORDER The City of Apple Valley Planning Commission Annual Meeting was called to order by Chair Kurtz at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Jodi Kurtz, Paul Scanlan, Dave Schindler, Phil Mahowald, Becky Sandahl, Jeff Prewitt, and Douglas Hlas Member(s) Absent: None City staff members attending: Community Development Director Tim Benetti, Associate Planner Sydnee Stroeing, City Engineer Evan Acosta, and Department Assistant Breanna Vincent. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Kurtz asked if there were any changes to the agenda. CD Director Benetti asked that item 4. B. Approve 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report be moved the 7. A. MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Sandahl, approving the agenda. Roll call vote: Ayes - 7 – Nays – 0. 3. CONSENT ITEMS A. Approval of Minutes of February 5, 2025 MOTION: Commissioner Scanlan moved, seconded by Commissioner Hlas, approving the minutes of February 5, 2025. call vote: Ayes - 7 – Nays – 0. 4. ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING A. Nominate and Approve Officers The Commission recommended the following officers: Chair – Jodi Kurtz Vice-Chair – Paul Scanlan Secretary – David Schindler CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2025 Page 2 of 5 MOTION: Commissioner Mahowald moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan, approving the Planning Commissioner officers. call vote: Ayes - 7 – Nays – 0. B. Approve 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report CD Director Benetti provided a brief presentation. MOTION: Commissioner Schindler moved, seconded by Commissioner Scanlan, approving the 2024 Annual Report. call vote: Ayes - 7 – Nays – 0. 5. PUBLIC HEARING A. Bethel Assemblies of God Church Wireless Communication Tower CUP Chair Kurtz opened the public hearing. Associate Planner Stroeing provided a brief presentation. Commissioner Scanlan asked what the height of the proposed tower was on the 2017 CUP approval and if any mature trees will be removed. Associate Planner Stroeing stated that the height was about 84’ which is just under what is being proposed now. The proposed plans show a slight removal of vegetation in the area and there is a tree preservation concept along with the NRMP, as part of the conditions in the draft resolution. Chair Kurtz stated that an opaque solid fence and paved road will be a definite improvement to the plans. Commissioner Prewitt asked if a gate will be placed at the paved road leading to the cell tower. Associate Planner Stroeing said there is not a requirement related to this. The drive is for maintenance access and signage could possibly be added but would defer to the applicant for additional information. Commissioner Sandahl agreed with previous comments regarding removal of trees and trying to preserve as many as possible. Commissioner Mahowald asked if the tree preservation includes trees that may become diseased or damaged. CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Associate Planner Stroeing stated that condition 9 in the draft resolution is intended to maintain the existing trees that provide screening to the residential area so if any would die, the property owner would need to maintain the trees so that screening is not diminished. The applicant, Blair Ransom (Buell Consulting), was present for questions. Chair Kurtz asked how many towers are needed for adequate coverage and do other companies use the same towers. Mr. Ransom stated that it can vary depending on what data is being used (calls, text, internet). There are currently six towers in the area which do not provide adequate coverage. When multiple carriers join on a tower, this is called co-location. Building a tower is the last resort and there are no existing towers in this area. As part of their application, Verizon committed to allowing other carriers to use this tower. Chair Kurtz asked about RF exposure which some citizens have expressed concerns over. Mr. Ransom stated that the FCC governs the amount of emissions that cell carriers can emit. Verizon’s job is to comply within those emission limits. This is governed by the federal government. Chair Kurtz asked if towers have fallen due to ice buildup. Mr. Ransom stated that it is very unlikely and the tower is designed with the breakpoint so that it collapses in on itself. Commissioner Hlas asked if there were any examples of other locations with settings like this one. Mr. Ransom stated there is a park in Eden Prairie with a tower about the same height. This is also in a residential area. There is also one being built at the Maple Grove fire station. Commissioner Prewitt asked for further information on the FFC emission guidelines. Mr. Ransom stated that information can be provided at the next meeting. Commissioner Scanlan asked if there were any other locations considered and inquired about FAA lighting. Mr. Ransom stated that there are six other towers and the distances between the towers must be taken into account for the maximum efficacy of the tower. Co-location options are looked at first and buildings over four-stories were looked at but had a pitched roof and could not be CITY OF APPLE VALLEY Dakota County, Minnesota Planning Commission Minutes March 5, 2025 Page 4 of 5 used. Mr. Ransom stated that FAA lighting will not be required as the tower is under 200 feet. Commissioner Scanlan asked that examples of other towers built in similar locations be brought to the next meeting. Commissioner Mahowald asked if there are ongoing tests of monitoring of the emissions on these towers and does this change over time as the equipment ages or changes. Mr. Ransom stated he will provide this information at the next meeting. Resident, Rich McCabe (14365 Glenda Dr.), raised concerns over the new location of this proposed tower. The previous tower approval was further from the residential area. Mr. McCabe stated he does not believe a tower should be close to any residential areas. There are several townhome associations, rentals, and daycare in the area. Mr. McCabe also referenced his “Letter to the Editor” published on February 27, 2025 in the Sun This Week online newspaper and shared some other cities which would prohibit this. He also stated concerns over home values and any disruptions to the gas line that runs along with site. Mr. McCabe asked for clarification on the height of the tower. Mr. Ransom stated that the tower location changed as the church has renovation plans and the previous location would conflict. The tower is 86’ tall with a small lightning rod that extends 4’ further. Resident, Scott Narveson (14239 Glencove Trl.), said he is on his HOA board and does not speak strongly against this proposal but is gathering information to share with his community. Mr. Narveson agreed with Mr. McCabe’s concerns regarding the Magellan pipeline and asked for information from engineering be provided at the next meeting. Mr. Narveson would like to see drawings or renderings of what the site will look like from ground level. He also asked for additional information regarding the FCC guidelines on emissions. Mr. Narveson asked for clarification on the construction process and timeline. Resident, Jim Peterson (14378 Pennock Ave.), echoed with Mr. McCabe’s comments regarding the proximity to residential areas and asked that a less intrusive location be considered. Commissioner Scanlan asked that staff bring forward a narrative on what limitations the City faces in regards to cell towers and federal government directives. Commissioner Scanlan also asked for renderings to be provided and if other locations could be examined at the next meeting. With no further comments, Chair Kurtz closed the public hearing.